Finding Lily. Vivacia Ahwen K.

that it’s a miracle you haven’t folded yet. As I mentioned in the conference room this morning, Holder Enterprises, your parent company, has no tolerance for losers. We like to win. Scratch that, we always win. Your thoughts?’

      ‘Always a fine approach to both life and business,’ I said, nodding, and was startled by the smooth confidence in my voice. ‘Continue, please, Mr Holder.’

      ‘Very good. Apollyon will be merging with Pahaad Incorporated, who, as you surely know, drove Gaim into the ground. As an aside, they were the ones who leaked the Rodney Yee scandal to the press. Alex Palincort knows how to play dirty and still come up smelling like incense and aromatherapeutic candles. Holder Enterprises bought them a month ago. Alex will be replacing Mr Colossimo after I’m through cleaning house here.’ He gestured grandly toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, as though he were speaking of repopulating the city itself. ‘Since Pahaad is a Canadian company, the merger will save Holder Enterprises over seven billion per year in taxes. Shady, yet cost-effective.’

      ‘Shady, indeed.’

      ‘If you would keep this discussion private, I’d be most appreciative.’

      ‘Vaulted,’ I said. ‘Mr Holder.’

      ‘You may call me Dorian.’

      ‘Dorian.’

      ‘Since your primary confidantes Ms Schneider and Mr Tanaka are no longer part of this company, I expect there’s no one else with whom you’d be sharing this information at the water cooler, anyway. Correct?’

      ‘Well—’

      ‘Any questions thus far, Ms Dewitt?’

      ‘Yes,’ I said, managing to keep my voice low. ‘You mean you fired Jay-Jay, too? He’s one of the best copy writers we’ve got.’

      ‘Mr Tanaka has chosen to leave Apollyon. His decision. And a wise one, I might add. Any other questions?’

      ‘Lots.’

      ‘Fire away.’

      ‘How did you know who I was at that initial meeting Monday? You addressed me before anyone else, by name.’

      ‘The night before I arrived at the office, I looked through all employee profiles. Yours caught my attention. Not just your naughty librarian photo, but when I looked over all you had – and hadn’t – done it became clear that you were not being utilised to your full potential.’

      ‘I thought you were busy having sex with some surfer chick in a VW bus that night.’

      ‘Not appropriate, Lily.’

      ‘I apologise, sir.’

      ‘Then, who should I see on the train but someone who looked a lot like the girl in the photo, staring at me in a rather bold manner for such a mousy-looking thing. Upon reaching the office, I scrolled through the photos and saw that you were indeed Lily Dewitt, who had not only inherited the copywriting department but was coming up with marketing techniques that went far beyond her role at the company.’ Dorian took a thoughtful sip of scotch, then set it down on the table. He steepled his fingers and added, ‘Furthermore, your colleagues were taking credit for your ideas, and you rolled over and allowed them to do so. I had to push you.’

      ‘You had to, or you wanted to?’ Not sure at what point I had started to tingle with arousal, but the buzz below my navel was increasing in energy and excitement.

      ‘In my world, there is no difference.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘Any further questions?’

      ‘What’s up with the model train?’ I pointed to the antique train set, which had its own shelf running the periphery of his office. ‘And can I push the button this time, so I can watch it go?’

      ‘When I was a kid, I always wanted a Lionel train for Christmas. Never got one.’

      ‘Aw. Poor thing.’

      ‘Lily.’ Dorian’s eyes tightened. ‘You know nothing of my past, and shouldn’t make a mockery. No, you may not run my train set. Next question?’

      ‘So the new company is going to be Apollyon-Pahaad?’

      ‘No. That’s clumsy. We’re going to be Yoni. New image for both companies means new name.’ He paused. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

      ‘Uhm … did you guys consider Apoll-yoni instead?’

      ‘That sounds like Macaroni. We’re going to just be Yoni. I like it. Al likes it.’

      ‘If you want to keep our male consumers, maybe something less vaginal-sounding would be a better idea. Like … Koyal.’

      ‘Koyal. No idea what that means, but I like the ring of it. Sounds like a play on “customer loyalty”. He scribbled a quick note. ‘Next question.’

      ‘Koyal means “nightingale.”’ Don’t ask me how I know this. ‘Whereas Yoni is a vagina.’

      ‘I know from yoni, Ms Dewitt.’

      ‘You surrrrre do.’

      ‘Inappropriate.’

      ‘On my list of notes, you saw that I suggested we carry our own brand of herbal supplements. Is that something you’re considering?’ Without waiting for a reply, I added, ‘Because I was thinking later that some kind of healthy protein bars might be another side product to work in.’